Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested 13 suspects for alleged complicity in the kidnap of the Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ekpe Ogbu, last December.
The arrest of the suspects was made known Monday in Makurdi in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene.
NigeriaCrime.com learned that the arrest of the suspects followed an order by the Police Commissioner, Wale Abass for the deployment of tactical teams to the southern part of the state to tackle the kidnap gangs and syndicates operating in the area.
According to SP Anene, “As a result of this deployment men of Operation Zenda JTF trailed and arrested the following persons in connection with the case of Kidnap that happened on December 4, 2022, involving the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Ekpe Ogbu and other kidnap incidents were reported in the area.
“Those arrested include one Mohammed Usman Omachoko, who specialises in preparing protection charms for kidnappers, David Ejembi, Aondongu Akighir aka ‘Too Proud’ and Teryima Peter were also arrested while they were on their way to purchase guns for the group.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of nine other gang members. Two locally made Baretta pistols loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from them. The suspect confessed to the crime.
“The Commissioner of Police has urged the good people of Benue State to provide useful information to the police to enable them to fish out hoodlums within their communities. He reiterated that these operations will also make room for hitch free 2023 general elections.”